Revealed: The huge demand Benjamin Sesko has made of Arsenal as Gunners attempt to secure deal to sign RB Leipzig striker this summer

After the RB Leipzig forward agreed personal terms with Arsenal, a potential obstacle has emerged as Sesko has reportedly insisted on having a release clause in his contract, according to Football London. Leipzig are expecting a fee of at least £68.5 million ($92m), and if agreed upon, the release clause is anticipated to be around 20% higher than the fee Arsenal pay.

Sesko had an excellent 2024/25 season, scoring 21 goals for Leipzig, including four in eight games in the Champions League. Arsenal have been chasing the Slovenian international for some time, but reports suggest he’s unlikely to be the one to force the move himself, and this latest news shows he wants to keep his future transfer options open.

Speaking on the Transfers Podcast, journalist Duncan Castles said: “I understand that Sesko is asking for an exit clause on any deal he agrees with Arsenal and he would like that release clause to be set at just 20% increase on whatever price they end up paying for him.”

He added: “It’s quite unusual to ask for something like that when you’re moving from, let’s say a second-tier European club to one that is perceived as a first-tier club and one of the most financially affluent clubs in European football and I think it’s unlikely that Arsenal would agree to a deal on those terms.”

Given how unusual this kind of transfer demand is, it’s difficult to predict how Arsenal will respond. Sporting director Andrea Berta may be so desperate to sign Sesko that he agrees to the clause, although it may have the opposite effect, causing the Gunners to instead ramp up their interest in alternative attacking options like Viktor Gyokeres.

***

GOAL